Drawing and spooling mechanism and method



Aug. 2, 1921.

,1. H. LEE ET AL DRAWING AND rooLING MEcHANIsM AND METHOD Filed July 5. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet l.

A TT ORNE YS.

o 2 t Agg 1927' J. H. LEE E1- A1.

DRAWING' AND SPOOLING MCHANISM AND METHOD Filed .my 5, 192s 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS, JOHN H. LEEJ Eva/wf- Hom /e/ m A TTORNE YS.

g J. H. LEE ET AL,

DRAWING AND SPOOLING MECHANISM AND METHOD 6 ySheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 5. 19215 INVENTORS JOHN H. LEE,

FEHNH Home,

2 1.92 Aug 7 J. H. LEE ET An.

DRAWING AND SPOOLING MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed Julyb. 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR5 JoHN H. LEEJ F RnNrr Hama) A TTORNEYS.

2 1927. 1,637,700 Aug J. H. LEE ET Al.

DRAWING AND SPOOLING MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed July 5. y192: e sneefssheet 5 INVENTORS. JoHN H. LEE J 1,637, 00 Aug' 2 1927' J. H. LEE ET AL 7 DRAWING AND *SPOOLING MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed July .5. 192s 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TORS Jouw H. LEE,

' FEHNK Hama,

Y u 2% y t ATTORNEYS.

Patented Ang.. 2, 1927.

JOHN E. AND FRANK HONIG, F OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIYGNORS 'E0 WCL COB- `IlOltJlIfnsl', 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COREORATION 0F ILO.

DRAWING .AND SPOLING MECEANISM AND METHOD.

Application nled July 5, 1923. Serial No. 649,495.

This invention relates particularly to a gear, so that the carrier will be rotated method adapted to the continuous drawing and spooling or reeling of a strand of material such as Wire, and to mechanism whereby said method may be conveniently practiced. The mechanism is particularly adapted to the purpose of drawing and spooling wire of the larger sizes, and especially where the wire is spooled upon a comparatively large sized spool.

The mechanism is suitable, also, for recoiling, or respooling wire or the like. It is well adapted for respooling'wire when the wire is drawn through yan annealing furnace,

or is given a coating, such as a -galvanizing coating, or a coat of. enamel. The mechanism enables the coilingor spooling operation to be performedo as a continuous, or non-stop, operation.

The kmechanism may be used to divide a large 4coil or spool of. wire into several smaller coils Aor spools s, of predetermined' length of wire per spool. The length 'may be valued, as desired.

The' improved mechanism is shown in the referred embodiment in the accompanying drawings. In .the illustration given, the wire is drawn through a finishing die by means of a self-discharging capstan, `from.which the wire passes to the spooling mechanism proper. Generally stated, the spooling mechanism shown comprises a carrier which is automatically moved by a step-by-step movement at suitable intervals, depending upon the amount of wire to be wound upon each spool; a plurality of spindles journaled in the 'carrier and having projecting ends upon which the spools are demountably carried; a-loose gear upon each spindle and a suitable clutch. lassociated therewith, said gears turning idly on their spindles, except that as the spooling operation is' performed by each spindle the vgear on the spindle is clutchedy to the spindle so as to cause the spindle to turn; a suitably operated 'central gear "which mesheswith thel spindle-gears and drives themcontiruously; a carrier actuating gear which 'meshes with a large gear secured to the carrier-and through the me- 7" fidium of which the carrier is rotated periodically a suitable distance to remove the load- 'ed spool from the winding position and bring a figesh spool into the winding position; and control mechanism adapted to control the operation of the carrier actuating through a suitable angle at the end of each spooling operation. y

Associated with each spindle is a wire distributing device .for properly distributing the wire on .the corresponding spool asv it is being wound thereon. Thedistributing device normally has a traverse equal to the distance between the flanges of the spool. After each spooling operation, however, the distributing device is given an extra movement by means of a suitable cam which deflects the wire, or carries it over the flange of the spool and in thx; path of grippers with which the face plates on the splndles are provided, so that the wire will be engaged by the grip pers, and practically simultaneously therewith a knife or shearing device operates to sever the wire at a point between the gripper associated with the loaded spool and the gripper associated with the fresh spool which is to be wound.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a broken elevational view of the improved mechanism, showing the side of the machine where the spools are disposed, the spools being shown as four in number; Fig. 2, a broken sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken as indicated at line 2-2 of Fig. 1, the view showing one of the spools in elevation and showing in 'Section the spindle-gear and its associated clutch device; Fig. 3, an enlarged broken sectional view taken as indicated at line {5i-3 of Fig. 1, this view showing one of the distributing devices and a part of the control mechanism mentioned above; Fig. 4, a broken elevational view showing the upper right hand corner portion of the rear end of the main frame and a part of the control mechanism mounted e5 thereon, this view corresponding with the portion broken away in Fig. 10, but being on an enlarged scalen; Fig. 5, a broken plan view somewhat in the nature of al development, partly in section, the view being taken approximately as indicated at lneof 1 and 3, .it bein noted, however, that the spool-carrierohas een rotated from the position shown-in Fig. 1 to bring the distributing device associated with the ri ht han-d spool shown in Fi 5 to the position indicated by the line a in Fig. 1.; Fig. l6, a fragmentary view of the face plate of one ofthe spindles, showing one of the associated wire grippers; Fig. 7 a broken sectional 310 mounted on the sli-de, ready for removal from the spindle; Fig. 9, an enlarged broken sectional view showin the ymain central drive shaft of the machine and showing also the bevel-gears for communicating motion 4to the self-discharging drawing capstan which appears at the left upper corner of Fig. 1; Fig. 10, a rear end elevational view (partly in section) of the machine; Fig. 11, a sectional view of the self-discharging drawing capstan,the section being taken as indicated at line 11-11 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 12, an enlarged detailed sectional View taken as indicated at line 12-12 of Fig. 4, the detail showing the oscillating armand pawl employed in connection with a ratchet device which orms a part of the control mechanism of themachine, the variation in the amount of wire to be wound upon the spools being controlled by means of an adjustable `segment (cam) associated with the ratchet wheel and cooperating with the pawl, as illustrated in Fig. 4;. f

In the construction illustrated, A represents a self-'discharging wire Bdrawing capstan having associated therewith a presser device A', which serves to press the convolutions of wire which encircle the drawing capstan by a sort of clamping action against the capstan; A2, a die through which the wire is drawn upon the capstan, which die mayo constitute t e nishing die of a wire drawing machine, if desired; B, a main frame for the spoolin mechanism proper, this frame being preerably in form of a hous- 1ng for the carrier and affording a frontend wall B', a rear end wall B2., a top wall B2, and a reverse-side wall B2; B5, a supplemental housing member mounted on the top of the main frame; C, a rotatable carrier comprising a front side-wall C adjacent to which the spools are mounted,o a circumferential wall C2, and an inturned flange C disposed opposite the wall C; D, E, F and G, a series of spindles journaled in the carrier C near the periphery thereof, each spindle being equipped with a loose spindlegear H and an associated clutch device H;

D', E', F and G face plates formed in- Y s f tegrally with the respective spindles and disposed outside the carrier wall C5; D2, E2,

F2 and G2, spools mounted on the respective spindles; I, J, K and L, wire distributing devices associated respectively with the 1pools D2, E2, F2 and G2; M, acentral drive aft journaled in the wall B4 of the main rame, equipped at one end with a gear M which meshes with the spindle-gears H and `having a projecting end equipped with a drive gear M2 `through the medium of which power may be communicated to the machine from any suitable source; N, a bevel-gear xed on the outer end ofthe shaft M and serving to communicate motion through a shaft N to a bevel-gear N2 fixed on the shaft of the self-discharging capstan A; P, a large annular gear lixedly secured to the flange C3 of the carrier C; R, control mechanism serving. to control the movements of the carrierv C, this mechanism also including a device bfor actuating the wire distributers inv their normal operation; S, a cam serving to give to the distributers, seriatim, an extra movement to deiect the wire and ei'ectseverance thereof, the cam S beingcarried by the top wall B2 of the housing B; and T, a large segmental, or interrupted cam which is ada ted to prevent clutching of the spindles to tllie spindle-gears, except through that portion of the circle where the interruption of the cam occurs. It-may be added hereothat y.the spindle D is inthe winding position and therefore is clutched to its actuating gear. When the carrier isrotated in the direction of the large arrow shown in Fig. 1 to carry the loaded spool to the discharging position, the clutch device associated with the spindle D will operate to release the connection between the spindle and the gear, the release being elfected by the cam T. On the other han-d, the spindle G will be thrown into oper-4 ation, that is, clutched to its spindleear, asV soon as it passes the adjacent end o the cam T.

The self-discharging capstan, in the form shown, comprises a suitably journaled shaft 1 and agrooved disk 2, about which the Wire 3 takes several turns. The presser device A', comprises, in the form shown, radial arms 4, carried by a segmental spring 5, the outer ends of the arms being equipped with pressure-rollers 6, which lbear yieldingly against the convolutions of the wire 3.' The spindleof one of the rollers bears against a projection 7 of the frame member 72 in which the shaft-1 of the capstan is journaled.

The frame or housing B may be of any suitable form and construction, the construction described above being well adapted to the purpose. The frame is provided with internal annular bearings 8 and 9, `in which the carrier C is journaled. The bearing 8 presents a beveled surface, which is engaged by a corresponding bevel on a flange 8a of the wall C of the carrier. Segmental rctainer plates 10, suitably secured to the housing, as by means of screws 102, serve to retain `the carrier properly in its bearings.

naamw vices are of the same construction, and may be explained with reference to Fig. 2. ln the ,illustration given, each spindle is equipped with a iixcd disk or flange 13 and i@ a movable clamping plate 14, the gear being confined between these plates. The plate 14v is pressed by means oi' springs 15, the tension of which may be adjusted by means ofv nuts 16. The gear and the plates referred to are mounted on a sleeve 17 Wliich is journaled freely on the spindle. 'he sleeve is vprovided with an internal key-Way 18` adapted to receive a key 19, which is secured to a plunger 20, which operates through a borepin the spindle. The key is moved to the locking position by'means of a spring 21, which is confined in the bore. The other end ot the plunger 20 is equipped with a ball or anti-friction member 22. which is adapted to travel on the cam T. The cam is provided With suitably beveled or rounded ends. While the ball at the end of the plunger engages the cam while the carrier is being rotated, the plunger isl retracted against the pressure of the spring 21 'and releases the clutch. When the ball rides off the end of the cam, the clutch is allowed to operate to throw the spindle into operation, that is, cause the spindle to rotate With the gear H. f Tt Will be noted that the arrangement of the cam T is such as to permitthefresh spool G2 to be turned on its axis during the time While 'it is being carried from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the normal Windingposition occupied by the spool D2, as shown yin Fig. 1. This enables the Wire to be grippedby one of the grippers on the face plate associated With the spool G2 before the wire isl severed; and it may be remarked, also, that the final end of the Wire wound on the spool D2 is gripped by one o't' the grippers of the associated face plate D', thus preventingthe Wire from unwinding from the spool. 4

The cam T is, of course. stationary, being carried by the Wall-plate B4 of the housing.

The distributing devices I, J K, and L are of the same construction, and mayA be explained with reference to Fig. 3. There, thej device I is shown as comprising a plunger, or slide-rod which operates through a bear# rigidly' secured to the outer end of theplunger 23 and equipped with a knife o shear 23, and a pair of guide fingers 2 5, adapted to receive the Wire 3 in the slot hetween them. The arm 23u is provided with a suitable bore which receives a ball 26' and a spring 27 the ball 26 being pressed against the guide rod 24, and adapted to partially venter a recess 24LL With/which the guide rod is provided. Thus, the distributer is re.-

lcasably locked at one end of its traverse,

the purpose being to hold tle distributer in the position shown in Fig. 3 When the distributer is not being actuated for any purpose.

The arm23 is equipped at its outer end with a cam Stud 28, which is adapted to be actuated by a slide mounted at the upper portion ot the main housing, said slide vbeing actuated by a cam wheel which forms a part of the control mechanism R. The distrib-u uters J, l and L are of the same construction as the distributer l, and they are actuated in the same manner. The distributers are brought, Seriatini, within the range of operation of the slide just mentioned, it

The cont-rol mechanism R- or regulating f the number ot turns of Wire per spool and the connection between said control mechanism and the slide actuating the Wire dis tributers will be best understood from Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10. The mechanism com prises a pinion or sprocket Wheel 29 (Fig. 9), secured on the shaft M; a countershaft 30 (Figs. 1 and 10) journaled in the upper portion of, the frame member B4 and equipped at its inner end with a xedly secured gear 30, which meshes with the large carrier actuating gear P; va pair of pinions or sprocket Wheelsl 3l and 32 (Fig. 10) formed integrally with a sleeve 33, which ,journal-ed on the outer end of the countershaft 30; a shaft 34 journaled in the top rameanember B5 and equipped at its innel end with. a. bevel-gear 34a and at its outer end with a pinion or sprocket wheel 34; a sprocket chain or silent-drive chain 35 connecting'the'gears 29 and 31; a similar chain 36, connecting'. the ygears 32 and 34D; a short vertical` shaftj 37 journaled in the frame member B5 and 'equipped with a large bevelgear 37a, which meshes with the bevel pinion' 34, and equipped also vwith a cam wheel, or

segment 37b which is provided at its lower side with a cam groove 37c and at its upper side Wlth axcam .lug 37d; a dlstrlbut-er actuatting slide 38, Whiphmoves in a guide slot 39. With which the framefpprtion B3 is provided and which has its upper portion provided With-a cam stud 38 engaging in the cam groove 37C and which lisas its lower por- 'tion provided with afork 38h, which afords 'a slot 38 adapted to receive the cam stud 28 of each distributer, in turn; a rock shaft 40, journaled inthe frame member B and having a horizontal arm 40, adapted to be actuated by the cam 37d and having'a depending larm 40b (Fig. 4) a clutch device adapted to connect the counter-shaft 30 to the sleeve 33, said clutch device comprising (Fiigs. 4 :and a key 41, adapted to slide in the transverse slot in the shaft and to engage a groove or recess 41a with which lthe inne-r' end' of the sleevel 33 is provided, the sliding key 41 being thrown to the engagmg position by a spring 41d confined in a bore in the shaft 30; a vertical link 42 provided at its lower end with a cam 42a, adapted toc restrain or hold the key 41 out of the engaging position (Figs. 1 and 4) aarock-lever 43 supported on a pivot 43, said lever being disposed at the far side of the machine as illustrated in Fig. 1, the front end of the lever being pivotally connected with the upper end of the link 42 by means of a pivot 44; a horizontally movable slide-45, supported on guide .studs 46, which project from the rear end wall B2 of the main frame, said slide 45 having an end portion which projects past the reverse side of the machine and which is -provided with an inclined cam slot 45a which engages a cam stud 47 on the rear end of the lever 43; a spring48 serving to move the slide 45 in one direction; a fixed stud or shaft 49 which .projects from V'the rear end wall B2 of the main frame; a ratchet wheel 5() journaled on the stud 49; an arm 51 ad- 'ustably secured on t-he stud 49, said arm aving `a split inner end and a set screw 51 for adjusting the arm angularly in any desired position, and the arm being fprovided at its outer end with a cam or shoe 51"; a rock-lever 52 having one arm connected with a spring 52afand another arm carrying a pivot 52", and provided also with a projecting lug 52; a pawl 53 journaled on the pivot 52b and engaging the ratchet wheel, said pawl being adapted to ride, during a portion of its stroke` on the shoe 51"; a link 54connecting the pivot 52h with the rockarm 40"; a slide-actuating link 55, connected by a pivot 55a with the slide 45,*andequipped with a block 55b which affords a cam 55c and a shoulder 55d; a rocklever 56 supported on a pivot 56a and having its upper end provided with a cam stud 56h, which'normally supports the link 55 in the raised position shown in Fig. 4; and a cam stud 57 mounted on the ratchet Wheel and co-acting with a cam stud 5"a with which the lower end of the rock-lever 56 is provided.

The arm 51 is adjustable to enable the position of the shoe 51b to be varied, so that the pawl 53 will ride idly over the shoe a greater or less distance, depending upon the adjustment, kthus varying the movement of the ratchet wheel at will. This arrange- 'ment enables the number of turns of wire Wound upon a spool to be varied, as desired. 'When the rock-lever 56 is withdrawn from the position in which it supports the slideactuating link 55, this enables the point 52c of the rock member 52 to engage the shoulder 55d and thus actuate the slide 45 through the medium of the link 55. When the slide 45 is mosved to the left, viewed in Fig. 4, the rear'end of the lever 43 is depressed, thereby lifting the link 42 and permitting the ,clutch member 41 to engage the clutch member 41a. Thus, the counter-shaft 30 is clutched to the sleeve 33 and thus caused to rotate, so as to turn the carrier-actuating gear 30a. This action takes place periodically at the completion of the filling of the spools, in turn. The cam 42a then operates to disengage the clutch-member 41 from the recess 33 in the sleeve 30.

Normally, the wire distributer while in operation has -an amplitude of` movement corresponding with the movement of the slide 38 shown in Fig. 3. However, when the carrier rotates to bring a fresh spool intothe normal filling position, the cam stud 28 of the distributer slide moves into a cam slot 58 of the `cam S, as shown in Fig. 5. That is, the cam stud 28a passes out of the slot 38c of the fork 38b and enters the cam slot 58. This slot is so formed that it will retract the distributer further than shown in Fig. 3. This has been referred to as the extra movement of the distributer which serves to deliect the wire and bring it within the range of the grippers with which the face plates of the spindles are provided. To effect severance of the wire, the main frame is provided with an anvil or lug 59, which co-acts with the shear 23c (Figs. 3 and 5).

The face plate of each spindle is provided with a suitable number of wire-grippers 60. These grippers lproject'from the face plate,` as shown in`detail in Fig. 6, the gripper forming an acute angle 60a with the outer face of the face late. Thus, the wire 3 is` adapted to be gripped between the gripper and the corner formed by the periphery of the face plate. This is illustrated in an exaggerated manner in Fig. 7. As has been stated, the severance of the wire occurs practically simultaneously with the gripping. Suitable means for adjusting the knife 23@ are provided. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the

knife is mounted in a slot in the arm 23D, the

metal of the arm being split and provided with a set screw 61.

Any suitable means may be provided for effecting removal of the spools. Referring to Figs. land 10, 62 represents a slide mounted on a bed 62a. A detail is shown in Fig. 8. After the spool reaches the discharging position shown at the lower right hand corner of Fig. 1, the slide may be moved inwardly, so that the cradle portions 62" will be disposed beneath the flanges of sesamo the spool, in this instance the loaded spool E2. The slide is provided with a spring-actuated latch 62C, suitably recessed to engage one of the flanges of the spool, so that the spool will be withdrawn with the slide when the slide is retracted. The latching member 62c is provided with suitably beveled surfaces, so that it will snap automatically'into engagement with the flange of the spool, as will be readily understood from Fig. 8. The slide 62 is equipped with a bottom guide plate 63, secured by screw and sleeve connections 64 to the main body of the slide. The guide plate 63 works beneath shoulders 64a with which the bed 62EL is provided, so that the slide will not tilt when it is in the spoolreceiving position shown in Fig. 8. Normally, the s ide is retracted when the machine is in operation.

As shown 'in Fig. 1, a platform, truck or carriage 65 is .disposed adjacent the slide 62, so that after the slide has been withdrawn with the loaded spool thereon, the spool may be rolled on to the truck or carriage.

The spools may be held in position on the spindle by any suitable means. In the illustration given, the ends of the spindles are threaded and equipped with nuts 66 (Fig. 2). When it is desired to remove a loaded spool, the nut may be removed from the spindle after the slide 62 has been moved into position to receive the spool, andthe slide 62 may then be- Withdrawn, carrying with it the loaded spool.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The machine is actuated through the medium of the gear M2 on the shaft M, it being understood that the gear M drives the spindle-gears I-I continuously, but that the spindle-gears are not clutched to theirA spindles so long as the spindles are passing over the large segmental cam T. During the loading of a spool, the carrier occupies the position illustrated in Fig.J 1. In this position, the spool D2 is in the loading position, the spool E2 is in the discharging position, the spool `F'2 is about to be applied to the spindle, and

the spool G2 is in the ready position. In this position, the spool D2 is rotated to wind the wire 3 thereon as it is discharged from the self-discharging `capstan A. It will be noted in Fig. 1' that the wire passes substantially tangentiallyto that spool which is in the loading position. The friction clutch employed in connection with the spindle may be so adjusted as to permit slippage of the spindle with respect to the spindle-gear. The adjustment may be such as to give the desired tautness to the wire, but it is unnecessary to place a drawing strain upon the wire, owing to the fact that the self-discharging capstan will continue to pay out the wire, regardless of whether. it is wound immediately on to the spool or not.

The control mechanism R operates continuously, and so the cam segment 37 b moves continuously, thus serving to actuate the distributer so long as the spool is in the loading position. Also, through the medium of the rock member lwhich comprises the arms 40a and 40", the link 54 is continuously reciprocated, thereby causing the pawl 53 to actuate the ratchet wheel 50. When the spool has received the requisite number of turns, the cam stud 57 on the ratchet wheel actuates the rock-lever 56, thereby permittin the link 55 to drop, so that the slide 45 wil be actuated. When the slide 45 is actuated, it depresses the real` end of the rocklever 43, lifts the cam link 42, and allows the sliding key 41 to engage the notch 41a of the sleeve 33. This causes the carrier-actuating gear 3()a to operate and turn the carrier. The moment after the carrier starts to turn, the clutch of the spindle of the loaded spool is released, so that the loaded spool ceases to rotate. Simultaneously therewith, the clutch of the spindle of the ready spool operates by reason of the fact thaty the controlling plunger rides oil' of the cam T. For a very short period two spools are rotating. When the cam stud 28 of. the distributer comes within the control of the cam slot 58 of the cam S, the distributer Islide is given an extra movement, and thus the wire is deflected over the peripheries of the face plates of 1 the two rotating spindles, and the grippers on the face plates engage the wire at both sides of the cutter. Practically simultaneously therewith, the cutter operates to sever the wire. The carrier continues to rotate until the ready spool is brought to the loading position and lthe loaded spool is brought to the discharging position. The control mechanism operates to returny the cam link 42 to the position shown in Fig. 4, thus disconnecting the shaft o f the carrieractuating gear 3()a from the sleeve 33at the proper moment. j

The cam lug 37d is so located that it will actuate the arm 40a while the slide 38 is in the position shown in Fig. 3. At this point, the distributor I is locked by the ball lock 26, and thus the cam stud 28 is in such position that when the carrier is rotated, said cam stud will pass from the fork 38b (Fig. 5) to the slot 58 of the Vstationary cam S, so that the distributor will be given the extra movement illustrated in Fig. 5.

In the illustration given, four spindles are employed, and the carrier has a movement of 90 degrees between each spool-loading operation. Any desired number of spindles may be employed, however. v

It will be noted that the control mechanism operates periodically to cause the steplOl) wby-step movement of the carrier; also, that the rotation of the carrier, in connection with the operation of the interrupted cam T, controls the operation of the spindles. Thus, the machine is wholly automatic in its operation, except as to the removal of the loaded spool after it reaches lthe discharging position and the applying of a fresh spool tothe spindle at the next position. X

A machine of the character described is well-adapted to the purpose of taking up, reeling, or spooling comparatively heavy gage wire, where the weight of n. the. wire may ordinarily range from 50 pounds to 250 pounds per spool. The empty spool is easily handled and may be applied with easeby an attendant watching the operation of the machine.

The feature of the self-discharging capstan employed in combination with take-up mechanism of the general character described, is `of very great importance. The self-discharging capstan operates to draw wire continuously from the finishing die and discharge the wire from itself without the need of a drawing tension lbetween the cap-- stan and the take-up mechanism. Thus, the drawing tension upon the wire need never be varied, and so not only is a continuous drawing operation of the wire rendered possible, but breakage is obviated. Thus, the improved machine is capable of a large output, loss of time from stopping of the ma# chine is avoided, and still heavier losses of time from breakage of wire are avoided. Thosev skilled in the art will readily appreciate the advantage, inasmuch as the troublesome threading of the wire through the dies of the, drawing machine is largely avoided. The continuity of the .drawing operation is therefore made yto depend upon the life of the die, or upon the length of rod or wire which is available; and inasmuch as it is possible to weld rods together successfully for drawing purposes, the ultimate length of continuous operation may be madeJ to depend practically altogether upon the lifeof the die. l v f It may be added that the slippage provided for between the spindles aiidtheir gears will compensate for an increase in diameter of the coil being wound on the spool and will also compensate for any'slight variations which may occur in the operation of the take-up mechanism, the self-discharging capstan operating at all times to exert .a continuous drawing tension upon the wire as it passes through the dies.

The tautness with which the wire may be wound upon the spool or reel may be varied lby regulating the tension at the friction clutches of the spindle-gears. If it be desired to remove the wire in coils, this may be effect-ed by employing any suitable core or mandrel in lieu of the spool, so that the 0r loaded spool to be removed and to enable a fresh spool to be applied.

The foregoing detailed descriptionI has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be `understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What we regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a self-discharging capstan operative to deliver a continuous strand, and take-up mechanism for winding said strand in a plurality of coils, said takeup mechanism comprising a carrier, a plurality.of spindles mounted on said carrier, and means for automatically connecting the wire with said spindles, in turn,

2. In combination, capstan operative vto deliver a continuous strand and having associated therewith means for applying pressure to convolutions upon said apstan, and take-up mechanism for winding said strand in a plurality of coils, said take-up mechanism comprising a carrier, spindles mounted on said carrier and moving 1n an endless path, wire-gripping means associated with each spindle, 'wirevso a self-discharging i distributing means cro-acting with the sevu eral spindles, and wire-severing means.v

3. In combination, a self-discharging capstan rhaving pressure means associated therewith, a rotatable carrier, a plurality of spindles mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved thereby in an endle spath, wiregripping means associated with each spindle, wire-distributing means co-acting with the .several s indles, means for automatically moving t e carl-1er severing means. y

,4. In combination, a self-discharging capstan and associated pressure means, a roperiodically, and wiretatable carrier, a plurality of spindles mounted -on said carrier and adapted -to be carried thereby in an endless path, means for successively throwing said spindles into operation, means for automatically actuating self-dischargingl j 6. In combination, a self-discharging capstan and associated presser means2 and take-up mechanism comprising a carrier, a plurality df spindles mounted thereon and carried thereby in an endless path, spindleactuating means mounted in said carrier, means operative during the actuation of said carrier for throwing said spindles successively into operation, carrier actuating means, autoi'natic-controlo mechanism controlling the operation of the carrier-actuating means, means for automatically connecting with each spindle, 1n turn, the strand delivered from said capstan, and means for automatically severing the strand.

7.. In combination, a self-discharging capstan and associated presser means, and take-up mechanism comprsismg a rotary carrier, carrier-actuating means, a plurality ef spindles mounted in said carrier, spindledriving means mounted in said carrier,

clutch devices adapted to`-drive the spindle and permit slippage of the spindles with respect to the driving means, means :for tomatically connecting with each spindle, in turn, the strand discharged from said capstan, distributing means, and automatic control mechanism controlling the operation of the carrier-actuating means.

8. In mechanism of Lthe character set forth, the combination of a carrier, spindles mounted thereon, a gear device for driving said spindles, spindle-gears driven by said device, a clutch associated' with each spindle-gear, a cam controlling the operation of said. clutches, carrier actuating means, and control mechanism controlling the operation of the carrier actuating means.

9. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a rotatablevcarrier, a. plurality of spindles' mounted thereon, a driving device for said spindles, spindlegears mounted on said spindles and actuated by said driving device, a clutch associated with each spindle-gear, each clutch being provided with a controlling member, a staltionary cam co-acting with the controlling members of said clutches, carrier actuating means, and control mechanism controlling the operation of the carrier actuating means.

10. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a rotary ccarrier, a

plurality of spindles equipped with spools,

spindle-driving means, gears on said spindles actuated by said vdriving means, means being provided to permit slippage between the spools and said driving means, carrier actuating means equipped with a clutch, land control mechanism controlling the operation of the clutch of said carrier actuating means.

11. In mechanism of the character setl forth, the combination of a main frame, a rotary carrier, a plurality of spindles carried by said.car rier, spindle-gears mounted on said spindlelsand equipped with clutchA devices provided with clutch controlling members, a' drive-gear serving to continuously rotate said spindle-gears, a segmental cam carried by the main frame and co-acting with said clutch controlling members, and carrier actuating means. r

12. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe, a rotary carrgier, a plurality of spindles carried by said carrier, spindle-gears mounted on .saidspindles and equipped with clutch deity of spindles journal-ed in said carrier,

spindle-gears and associated clutch devices mounted on said spindles, said clutch devices,

being provided with clutch controlling members, a segmental cam niountedon the main frame and co-acting with said clutch con trolling members, said cam being interrupted to permit the spindles to be thrown successively into operation as the carrier is advanced step by step, a gear secured to said carrier, a carrier actuating gear serving to actuate the carrier through the medium of said last mentioned gear, and control mechanism serving periodically tou actuate said carrier actuating gear and thus periodically advance the carrier.

14. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a self-discharging capstan equipped with a presser-device, a carrier, ai plurality of spindles journaled t erein, a wire distributer', means for driving the spindles, means for periodically actuating the carrier, and wire-severing means.

15. In mechanism of the character set forth,'the combination of a carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled therein and adapted to receive spools, a wire distributing device, means for actuating said device, automatic means'for actuating the-carrier to bring the spools, in turn, to a loading position, means for throwing the spindles into and out of operation, and means for severing the wire after the loading of each spool,

16. In mechanism of the' character set forth, the'conibination of a carrier, a plurality of spindles jouinaled therein and adapted to receive spools, wire distributing means, actuating means 'for the Wire distributing means, wire-grippers associated with the spools, means for giving to the wire distributer an additional movement during the actuation of the carrier,` and carrier actuating means,

17. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled therein and adapted to receive spools, Wire distributing means, actuating means for the Wire distributing means, .Wire-grippers associated with the spools, means f'or giving to thewire distributer an additional movement during, the actuation ot the carrier, Wire severinvr means, and carrier actuating means.

18. In`\ mechanism of the character set forth, thec'ombination of a rotary carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled therein and equipped with face plates and beyond said face plates with spool-receiving arbors, Wiregrippers mounted on said face plates, a Wire distributer mounted on the carrier and corresponding with each spindle, means for reciprocating the distributers, in turn, to effect the normal distribution of the Wire on the spool, `means for effecting additional movement of the distributer during the actuation of the carrier to deflect the Wire and bring it Within range of the grippers, and carrier actuating means.

19'. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a rotary carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled therein and equipped with face plates and beyond said faceplates with spool-receiving arbors, Wiregrippers mounted on said face plates, a wire distributer mounted on the carrier and corresponding with each spindle, means for reciprocating the distributors, in-turn, to effect the normal distribution of the `Wire on the spool, means for eiecting additional movement of the distributer during the actuation of the carrier to deflect the Wire and bring it Within range of the grippers, Wire severing means associated with each distributer, and carrier actuating means.

20. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a carrier, a plurality of spool-carrying spindles journaled in said carrier, said carrier being adapted to bring the spools, in turn, to the Winding position, Wire gripping means associatedvvith each spindle, Wire distributing means, means for effecting delicction of the Wire to bring it Within range of the grippers after theL loading of each spool, means for driving the spindles, and means for actuating the carrier. s

2l. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a rotary carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled therein, means for, actuating Said spindles in turn, Wire distributing means, Wire-grippers associated with each spindle, means for bringing the Wire within the range of said grippers during actuation of the carrier. and means for periodically moving the carrier through an angle corresponding with the angle bctween spindles.

22. In mechanism of the character set forth. the combinationof a rotary carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled therein, means for actuating said spindles in turn, a distributer mounted inthe carrier and corresponding with each of the spindles, each distributer being provided With an actuating member, a reciprocating member adapted to engage the actuating member of each distributer, in turn, and effect normal reciprocation of' the distributer, a stationary cam adapted to engage the actuating member of each distributer, in turn, during rotation of the carrier, and mechanism serving to peri'- odically rotate the carrier through an angle correspondingwvith the angle separating the spindles. l

23.- In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a rotatable carrier, a plurality of spindles journalcd therein, spindle-gears mounted on said spindles, a clutch device associated with each spindlegear and -provided with adjusting means, a clutch controlling member associated with each clutch device, means co-acting with the clutch controlling members adapted to hold each clutch device in the released position duringa portion of the rotation of the carrier, a driving gear serving to continuously rotate the. spindle-gears, carrier actuating means, and control mechanismcontrolling the operation of the carrier actuating means.

24. In combination, a selfdischarging kcapstan operative to deliver a continuous strand, and take-up mechanism for Winding said strand into a plurality of coils, comprising a. rotary carrier provided with a hori-` zontal axis, a plurality of horizontal spindles journalled in said carrier and projectiig beyond one side thereof'. means for effcting movement of the carrier to bring each spindle, in turn, to loading position, means associated With each spindle for gripping the strand delivered from said capstan, a distributor co-acting with the several spindles, means for operating the spindles, and automatic means for actuating the carrier periodically.

25. In mechanism of the character setforth, the combination of a carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled in said carrier, one of said spindles being located in loading position and another spindle being llocated in a position ready to be swung to the loading position', a Wir-e distributer mounted in said carrier in the angle between said spindles, Wire-grippers associated with said spindles. means for effecting normal oscillation .of the Wire distributer, means for effecting additional movement of' the Wire distributerl to deflect the Wire and bring it Within range of the grippers, means for driving said spindles, and means for intermittently actuating said carrier.,

26. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a carrier, a plurallosy ity of spindles journale'd in said carrier, one of said spindles being located in loading position and another spindle being located in a position ready to be swung' to the loading position, a wire distributor mounted in said carrier in the angle between said spindles, wire-grippers associated with said spindles, means for effecting normal oscillation of the Wire distributor, means tor eti'ecting additional movement of the wire distributer to deflect the wire and bring it within range of the grippers, means for driving said spindles. means for eii'ccting severance ot' the Wire after deflection thereof, and means for intermittently actuating said carrier.

27. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a rotary carrier mounted thereon, a plurality of spindles journaled in said carrier, means for actuating said spindles, a gear Secured to the carrier, a carrier actuating gear serving to actuate the carrier through the medium of said last mentioned gear, and control mechanism including a continuously rotating member, a clutch device for connecting the carrier actuating gear to said continuous'ly rotating member, and a controlling device for said clutch periodically actuated by said control mechanism.

, 28. In mechaism of the character set forth. the combination of a main frame, a rotary carrier mounted thereon, a plurality of spindles journaled in said carrier, means for actuating said spindles, a gear secured to the carrier, a carrier actuating gear serving to actuate the carrier through the medium of said last mentioned gear, and control mechanism comprising a continuously rotating member, a clutch device for connecting said continuously rotating member to said carrier actuating gear, a clutch controlling member controlling the operation of said clutch device, and a ratchet wheel driven from said continuously rotating member and controlling the actuation of said clutch controlling member.

29. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combinati@ of a main frame, al

carrier journaled therein, a`plurality of spindles journaled in said carrier, means for actuating said spindles, in turn, a gear secured to said carrier, and control mechanism mounted on .the main frame, comprising a carrier actuating gear adapted to communicate motion to the gear secured to said carrier, a clutch device controlling the operation of the carrier actuating gear, and a continuously operating control device mounted on the main frame and controllingl the operation of said clutch device.

30. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame` a rotary carrier' journaled therein, a plurality of spindles journaled in' said carrier, means for actuating said spindles, a 'plurality of Wire distributers mounted in said carrier, L distributer actuator mounted on the main frame. and adapted to actuate said distributers, in turn, a gear secured to said carrier, and control mechanism comprising a gear journaled on the main frame and serving to actuate the gear secured to said carrier, a

continuously rotating member, a clutch de vice adapted to connect said carrier actuating gear to said continuously rotating member, a continuously driven cam adapted t0 effect normal reeiprocation of the distributers, in turn, a ratchet device actuated from said cammember, a clutch controlling member controlled by said ratchet device, and a stationary cam mounted on the main frame and serving to deflect the Wire during actuation of said carrier.

31. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, s carrier journaled therein, means for intermittently actuating said carrier, a plurality of spindles journaled in said carrier and equipped outsider said carrier with 'face plates provided with grippers, and having arbore projecting beyond said face plates, means for actuatin said spindles, and means for effecting distri ution of the wire during the loading operation and for ciiecting detlection of the Wire to bring` the same wlthin range of the grippers.

32. In -mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a carrier mounted therein, a plurality of spin.- dles mounted in said carrier and equipped with face plates disposed outside of the carrier and having arbors projecting beyond the face plates, said tace plates being equipped with grippers, means for actuating said spindles, means for periodically actuating the carrier. and means for effecting .removal of the loa-d after the carrier has been rotated to bring a fresh arbor to the loading position.

33. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a rotary carrier journaled' therein, a plurality of spindles journaled in said carrier and having arbors projecting in front of the carrier, means for actuating said spindles, in turn, means tor intermittently actuating said carrier, and a load removing carriage adapted to receive the load after the carrier has been actuated to bring a fresh spindle to the loading position.

34. The method of spooling wire or the like which comprises progressively forming convolutions upon and progressively discharging the Wire from a self-discharging winding drum, passing the Wire, or the like, as discharged to take-up mechanism equipped with a plurality of spools, filling each spool, in turn, and shifting the spools to bring a fresh spool to the loading posi- ,j

tion.

35. The method of spooling wire which comprises progressively forming convolu- 'tions upon and progressively dischargin the Wire from a self-discharging winding rum,

b Winding the wire upon a spool until the spool is loaded, and shifting the loaded spool andbringing a fresh spool into the loading position. Y

36. The method of spooling wire which 10 comprises progressively forming eonvolu`I until the same is lo spool and bringing aded, shifting the loaded a fresh spool to the loading position, deflecting the wire between said spools, and Severin the ends;

g the Wire and securing JOHN H. LEE. FRANK HON IG. 

